Welcome to the KINGDOM of halfMEN.
Let’s start this month by introducing the newest recruits to the Army of Fordern.
Grim Blades, Regiment of Foot Guard (135 points)
Grim Blades are the personal Foot Guard of Barorin Hilltopple, Paymaster of Fordern. They are equipped with the finest armor and bi-handed great swords trading profit can buy. Ironically, these weapons have mostly become ceremonial, and see little combat given their impracticality for fighting within the mountains. However, their real impact is felt when these weapons are deployed in the role of executioner. As such, the Grim Blades have developed quite the ruthless reputation among Fordern’s enemies, hence their name.
Troop of Bowmen (70 points)
Given their stature, this unit uses the surrounding terrain to give themselves a height advantage, and a clear line of sight to the enemy. If it can be done behind the main battle line all the better.
Spectis Bluelake, Army Standard Bearer, Mounted (65 points)
Spectis Bluelake was raised in a small lake town on the Ardovikian plains. His father was an exceptional farmer, who masterly tilled the fertile lands of Rhorida, while his mother was a budding alchemist providing her unique wares for trade. His life was that of any other halfing in the League; comfortable, safe and secure. However, his idyllic world came to an abrupt end, with a catastrophic experiment, that took the lives of his parents. Initial anger towards the Celestians, for allowing this to happen, was gradually replaced by the disillusionment of his predicament. Spectis looked up to the sky for relief, but the only thing in his vision was the mountains. Fortunately, in Fordern, he not only found common ally, that understood his plight, but also shared his newly found disdain, for the life he once cherished. He now proudly carries the Fordern army banner to war, mounted atop his fearsome battle goat, Bouquetin.
Please note that I didn’t completely finish this model as I still have to add a banner to this majestic model!
Next, let’s spend a few moments sharing what’s changed with the project since January.
As you may have noticed, I’ve decided to add names and flavor text to each unit to breath life into them. I’ve recruited my very creative daughter Aubrey, to help me with endeavor, and we’ve had a really great time working on these intertwined snippets together. I’ve also settled on my color scheme. Huge thanks to all of you for the great suggestions and words of encouragement! I spent several afternoons playing with various colors from the Reaper Master System, before landing on my final colors triad of Teal, White and Auburn.
I really like the overall cool tone of the teal and white, which is accented by a warm spot color of auburn. It’s afforded me the opportunity to use new colors, that I don’t have much experience with. In particular, it’s been really fun working with the white, something I’ve historically avoided. The arm in the picture below was base coated a dark purple. Then white paint with less and less black wash mixed in was layered on leaving the dark purple in the recesses. While it’s a lot of work I’m really happy with the result.
In the coming months, I will provide a full listing of all the paints I used, as well as a step by step breakdown sharing the the process I used to paint the army. As I’ve rambled on a bit, let’s get to my February commitments.
Barorin Hilltopple, Captain, Mounted (125 points)
Ensuring the security and long term stability of Fordern can be a difficult job at times, but being the Head Paymaster also yields Barorin Hilltopple certain perks; and a whole lot of interesting friends, that a halfling of his stature couldn’t dream of. He is a halfling of self-made means, which insulates him well from the normal trappings of positional wealth, that ruin most people. But, even Barorin would admit he covets his power and appreciates the wide latitude he’s afforded. Fortunately, Bregork, his Ogre bodyguard and friend, is ever present and quick to put him back on track should he stray from course.
For this unit I’ll be using the Halfmen Paymaster, with bodyguard from Westfalia Miniatures. What better way to mount my captain then on the back of an Ogre! The only thing I’m doing special is to mount him on a cav base, so that this hero is based correctly for Kings of War..
In addition to all this goodness, his nerve moves to 12/14, attacks increases to 5 and he gains Rallying (2) special rule from Clash of Kings 2019 supplement.
Gnights, Troop of Knights (125 points)
Terrible is the sight of an enraged Goat, barreling forward down the mountain side, into your ranks. There is no more nimble a beast of burden to be found in all of Mantica. It’s made all the worse for the enemy when there is a fully armored Halfling atop it’s back.
Westfalia Miniatures make a number of goat riding Knights. For my first troop, I will be using the Gothic Goat Knights from their Halfknechts Kickstarter. Down the road, when I add more troops, I will use the “standard” Goat Knights from Westfalia.
Well that’s it for February as this puts me at 295 points for the month, well beyond my target of 250. See you next month!
